Anavex to Present at Sigma-1 Receptors Symposium

March 1012:312015

NEW YORK, March 10, 2015 — Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (“Anavex” or the “Company”) (AVXL) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing drug candidates to treat Alzheimer’s disease, other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, pain and various types of cancer, today announced that Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer, will present at ‘The Physiopathology of Sigma-1 Receptors’ symposium being held at the Nice Sophia Antipolis University in Nice, France. The scientific symposium takes place on March 17, 2015 and addresses the broad variety of potential applications of the sigma-1 receptor in neurodegenerative diseases, pain and cancer representing a new mode of action of functional proteins in the biological system. The neuroprotective action of the sigma-1 receptor and associated ligands may be explained by the novel mode of action of this unique molecular chaperone.

Dr. Missling’s presentation is entitled ‘Clinical trial design for Sigma-1 Receptor agonists’ and will include an overview of the Phase 2a clinical trial design of ANAVEX 2-73 and ANAVEX PLUS, which is ongoing in Alzheimer’s patients. The Company expects to release topline data in Q3 2015.

The Physiopathology of Sigma-1 Receptors symposium is being hosted by the Nice Sophia Antipolis University, The National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), the University of Montpellier and INSERM.

About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (AVXL) is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of novel drug candidates to treat central nervous system (CNS) diseases, pain and various types of cancer. The Company’s lead drug candidates, ANAVEX 2-73 and ANAVEX PLUS, the combination of ANAVEX 2-73 and donepezil (Aricept(R)), are currently being evaluated in a Phase 2a clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease. ANAVEX 2-73 is an orally available drug candidate that targets sigma-1 and muscarinic receptors and has successfully completed a Phase 1 study with a clean data profile. Preclinical studies demonstrate its potential to halt and/or reverse the course of Alzheimer’s disease. The drug combination, ANAVEX PLUS, produced up to 80% greater reversal of memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease models versus when the drugs were used individually. Recent positive preclinical data indicates that ANAVEX 2-73 also exhibits anticonvulsant, anti-amnesic, neuroprotective and anti-depressant properties.

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the risks set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.